Swollen Tongue

What is a swollen tongue?

A swollen tongue is an abnormal condition in which the entire tongue or a portion of it is enlarged, bloated or distended. Your tongue is made up of muscles and the upper surface is lined with taste buds. Your tongue helps you to talk, swallow, taste and chew.

Tongue/Mouth Problems Spotlight

A swollen tongue can result from infection, inflammation, allergy, genetic disorders, trauma, malignancy, metabolic diseases, and other abnormal processes. A chronically swollen tongue over a long period of time can be due to acromegaly, sarcoma, oral cancer, or Down syndrome.

If your tongue swells up rapidly, this could be a sign of an allergy or a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. An anaphylactic reaction is characterized by a swollen tongue (and swelling in general) combined with hives, itching, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing (more that about 16 breaths per minute for an adult). The reaction is sudden, severe, and can include respiratory distress. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms.

What other symptoms might occur with a swollen tongue?

If your tongue is swollen, you may also be experiencing other symptoms depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Other common symptoms include tongue pain, tongue lesion, difficulty chewing, and difficulty swallowing.

Allergy symptoms that may occur along with a swollen tongue

What causes a swollen tongue?

A swollen tongue is a symptom of a variety of diseases, disorders and conditions. Some causes of a swollen tongue are serious, even life threatening, such as an anaphylactic reaction. Other causes may be relatively mild, such as a small cut when you have bitten your tongue.